The proposed drug rehabilitation center project in Barangay Silab, Amlan in Negros Oriental needs an additional five hectares of land before it can take off as earlier proposed by the Diocese of Dumaguete.
The proposed project is undertaken by the diocese in collaboration with the local government unit (LGU) of Amlan and the Fazenda de Esperanza (Farm of Hope), a private entity based in Brazil catering to drug addicts but has drug rehabilitation centers in the Philippines.
Fr. Ben Eric Lozada, president of the Dumaguete clergy and the point person in the diocese for the project, disclosed Tuesday that the Fazenda de Esperanza’s requirement is for a property of at least 20 hectares for the drug rehabilitation center facilities and for farming.
The Diocese of Dumaguete had earlier committed to give 14 hectares of land in Barangay Silab for the project.
Vice Mayor Bentham dela Cruz, in an interview Wednesday afternoon, disclosed that the diocese has already acquired one hectare or more and negotiations are ongoing with landowners in Barangay Silab so that the 20-hectare requirement can be met.
According to the vice mayor, he has already met with Rep. Manuel Sagarbarria of the 2nd district of Negros Oriental to follow up on the latter’s promise last year to allocate funds for the drug rehabilitation center in Amlan.
Sagarbarria had disclosed last month that he is still awaiting a project proposal or plan from the Diocese of Dumaguete and the Amlan LGU so he can calendar funds for the drug rehabilitation center.
The congressman said without the proposal, it would be difficult for him to source funds for the project.
According to Fr. Lozada, in a recent meeting with Vice Mayor Bentham Dela Cruz and Mayor Gino Dela Cruz, they initially agreed that they would propose to the congressman to build a “welcome house” for the meantime.
The “welcome house” would be used as a dormitory for Fazenda volunteers who are recovering and rehabilitated drug addicts and who are willing to help jumpstart the drug rehabilitation center here, he said.
The structure would also be used for meetings and to welcome those wanting to come to the center, the priest said.
Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Dela Cruz disclosed that Rep. Sagarbarria has already promised fund the road project leading to the proposed site of the drug rehabilitation center in Amlan. (Judy Flores Partlow)
